"I'm Dr Alex Sullivan, as you can see," the man said, gesturing to his name on his white coat.

"Oh, okay. Nice to meet you."

"I apologise for Dr Martinez's words. I've been here for only a few months but I am already used to Dr Martinez's uhh, how should I put it?"

"Barbaric manners? Rudeness? Arrogance?" I offered.

"Yeah, that," Dr Sullivan said, chuckling. "He's mostly like this concerning things he doesn't care about. Meaning everything besides his job."

"You could maybe advise him on changing his attitude. It's not professionalism if that's what he calls it."

"Oh, I don't think a newbie can advise a senior about this and he is a bit intimidating." He let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his neck.

"I'd volunteer to do it nicely. Though he does seem cold and mysterious, don't you think so?"

"Well yeah, he likes to be lonely and doesn't speak that much to anyone. He does have the mysterious, dark vibe," Dr Sullivan said.

"Like how dark? So dark that he could do something bad or illegal?" I asked, probing deeper.

"Yes, he could," he said seriously and then laughed at my facial expression, "I'm joking. He cares too much about his job to do anything that will make him lose his job."

"Okay, if that's what you say," I nodded slowly.

"You must have had to put up with him during your case investigation? Has it gone well though?" he inquired.

"Unfortunately, the case is no longer mine. I don't know how it's going," I said with a sigh. Though I'm likely to be sticking my nose in that business again very soon.

"Oh really? Who has it been transferred to?" he asked surprised.

"Uhm well, to another organisation I believe," I said, trying not to reveal anything. I hesitated since the IOF usually do not reveal much to the public so they may not like me doing so.

"Oh, I hope they resolve the case soon then. It could damage Wellsworth's reputation it goes on longer," he said and I nodded in agreement.

"By the way, is your head okay?"

I looked at him puzzled. Then he pointed to the medical gauze that was still wrapped around my head.

"That? It's okay now, just some slight headaches surfacing now and then," I replied, touching the bandage over the gauze. I'm used to it now so I sometimes forget it is on my head.

"If I may ask, how did it happen?"

"I slipped in the forest. I am quite clumsy," I answered.

"Oh, you shouldn't be going into forests in the first place. Such walks or runs do not always end nicely for some people," he advised seriously.

"Agreed. It won't happen again."

Just then, the phone that was in Dr Sullivan's hand started ringing. Both of us glanced down.

"I need to take this call. It was nice talking to you. Maybe we'll meet again another day and have a chat again," he said apologetically and walked away, taking the call.

I shrugged to myself. Well, he was nice. We could talk again some other time. It was good to create contacts in other fields as well. They could always come into use.

"Is it not finished yet?" I asked as I walked into the administrative office. I was sure a lot of time had passed by.

"Almost done. I just finished printing the papers along with a few others. So it took some time gathering and separating each. There you go," the man said, handing me the papers along with the file I gave him. Thanking him, I walked back to the parking lot.

I got into my car and kept the file on my bag so as not to mix it with my other files. I was about to go out when I saw a car approaching. I waited for it to pass by.

As the car passed by, I felt as if I saw a familiar face. Brown curly hair, angular face with green eyes. If it wasn't for Argus being in Italy right now, I would have thought that this was him. Anyway, I have seen him only once so it was easy to be mistaken. As it did.

I started my car and headed to the apartment. Why couldn't they give me an apartment to myself? Either way, I'll be paying, I thought as I sighed.

But I was good, as long as I did not see my 'babysitter's face.

☆☆☆

As I entered slowly to not make any sound, I got welcomed by the sight of three people in the living room, that is, Judy, Castiel and a stranger. They didn't seem to have a good expression on their faces. I should perhaps avoid them.

I got down on my knees and crawled behind one of the sofas with one hand around my bag. When I arrived at the end of the sofa, I considered the strategies and ways to slip into my room without them noticing.

"Are you quite finished with whatever you're trying to do?" I heard from above, or more like from the sofa. Wait, the sofa can speak?

But it sounded more like Castiel's voice. Was he speaking to the others? Because I was sure they didn't notice me coming in. Well, I should confirm at least.

I popped up my head in between Castiel and the stranger.

"Are you talking to me?" I asked in a whispering voice. I didn't know if I should be flattered but my face scared the crap out of the stranger, who almost cracked his neck from turning around and moving away so fast.

"Can you please act like a civilised human for once?"

I stood up and scowled. I was going to continue towards my room when I heard Judy's voice.

"Sit down. We need to talk."

I took a step back and plopped on the sofa.

"You mean you need to talk. Okay, start. I'm listening," I said, crossing my arms.

Don't give me attitude, seemed to be what Judy wanted to say from her facial expression.

"You know I've been assigned to protect you, right? This means I have to be by your side or know about your whereabouts at all times. You just disappearing out of here is not the right way to act," she said in a patronising manner.

I scoffed at her. She made me look like a teen who fled from home.

"Oh so now you're concerned? It didn't seem like it when you were whining about getting a babysitting job," I said sarcastically.

Her eyes turned an ice-cold blue colour as she glared at me. "Don't use that tone on me," she warned.

"Oh, I'd never!" I said with my mouth agape and hand over my chest. "My dad has taught me to always respect my elders."

I heard a muffled laugh from beside me. I glanced at the nice stranger and smiled.

"You're testing my patience," Judy said as she clenched her teeth. Well, she was one fiery person. Who would dare to mess with her? Oh nope, definitely not me.

"Okay, don't start an argument now," Castiel intervened and turned to me, "you didn't inform her where you were going. You're in the wrong here."

"Excuse-"

"It is your security that matters right now, Haelyn, not who is responsible for it," he said coldly.

"Well if you were so worried, you could have done it yourself," I mumbled silently to myself.

Castiel thankfully didn't hear and continued talking. "And protecting a witness is as important and dangerous as any other task handed over to us. The perpetrators may be keeping tabs on her right now. I'm sure Mr Ford would not want to know we are performing our tasks so half-heartedly," he said, indirectly firing nice remarks at Judy who continued glaring at me like it was my fault.

Then he stood up, with the stranger standing up as well. "I hope you can sort it out between yourselves. Don't worr- I mean don't bother me about it again. Raphael and I need to go now."

"Yeah. Maybe we should meet up another time. And nice to meet you Haelyn, I am Raphael. I live in the apartment right in front of you," he said and grinned as we shook hands.

"Can't you spare me a room at your apartment instead?" I whispered jokingly to him.

"Stop talking nonsense," Castiel said, pushing his way between us and dragging my newfound friend out.

I turned around and faced my roommate. "I kind of regret signing that paper now. Just give me your number. I'll give you updates on where I go. You coming along and protecting me is up to you."

And with that said, I headed to my room. I took out my phone. Time to call for pizza delivery. I don't think she'd feed me unless it was poison.

☆☆☆

"A new case has been transferred to us. The file about the case is at the Eastern Police Station. You need to go fetch it," Attorney Kim said. "And this is the letter of transfer. Show it to them there," he added, handing me a paper.

"Right on it, Boss," I said and got out of his office. I texted Judy about where I was going to. I hated continuously sending her texts, so I had just sent my whole weekly schedule at once. But then, I keep getting things to do and places to go that weren't in the schedule. So I had to bother her every time. Not that I hated bothering her or anything but I had to keep bearing in mind that I had to text her.

It had been five days already. Five days full with only paperwork and no case investigation or interview at all. That was what a real paralegal job is. So boring. Why was I still waiting? I had to quit!

As I headed outside, I saw my car right in front of the firm, instead of being in the parking lot. I grinned. One advantage of getting a protector was getting a driver along with it. I got in the passenger seat and grinned at a grumpy Judy.

Ever since my apartment had been broken in by some 'mysterious' people four days ago for the second time, I had acquired a 24 hours protection service. So Judy has been dragged along with me to work. Not that she complained. I could not even get a word out of her. So as not to bother her so much, I usually returned to her apartment earlier and continued my work there itself.

On a side note, I became friends with Raphael, who I saw daily. I found out that he was also 24 years old, like me. That may be the only reason he became close friends with Castiel. Because how else can such a talkative and bright person befriend a stone?

While we talked daily, Castiel always managed to hinder the flow of conversation with remarks, all towards me. I didn't know why he always tagged along in the first place. He was probably jealous that I was stealing his best friend.

While I was in my thoughts, we arrived at the Police Station in no time. Judy got out with me. I muffled a smile. It felt like I had an assistant. The job she got probably had to be the most boring one she was ever given. Being at the law firm the whole day and just going to a few other places, there were few chances of anything happening to me in the middle of London.

So all she had to do was wandering about with nothing to do. I tried sharing a few paperwork with her before but the cold stare she gave me was most probably a negative response to my generosity. She was so cold. Maybe she took after her surname, Winter.

She followed me into the police station. We went into the main office and I handed the paper to the Chief Officer. He asked for one of the constables to fetch the file as we waited.

Another officer came into the office and began talking to the Chief Officer.

My ears pricked up in attention as I heard the conversation sounding very interesting.

"Remember the prisoner who escaped with the help of some gang members from the prison a few weeks ago?" asked the officer while the Chief Officer nodded.

"Well, he has just been found dead," the police officer whispered.

"How so?" asked the Chief Officer astonished.

The police officer started explaining. But because of some other people being in the room, he spoke a bit more quietly.

I leaned forward and pressed my palms on the table. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience but can you please speak a bit louder? I can't hear," I whispered, breaking their conversation.

"Exactly why we are speaking quietly, Carter," the officer said, rolling his eyes. Since the beginning of my job, I had always been doing trips between offices and police stations so most of the officers knew me. And it was no surprise, but some of them had not taken a liking of me. This officer seemed to be one of them.

"Well, I was just interested because it seemed similar to a case I had recently," I said and shrugged.

I guessed this grabbed the Chief Officer's attention. He leaned forward. "What was the case about?"

"You must have heard of it. There was news on the prisoner Argan Gregore who supposedly escaped and had been found dead."

"Oh yeah, I read about it. What was the conclusion of the case?"

"Well, uhm...," I hesitated, I didn't really know what was happening with the case truthfully, "some more investigations have been carried out and the rest of the information will be released soon, I believe. Right now, it's all confidential," I said, nodding strongly while Judy beside me raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you are still on the case then?"

"No, she is," I said, gesturing to Judy beside me. Judy did not even refute my false claim. Both officers glanced at her. But the cold look that she was giving them made them refrain from asking further questions.

"So, what is the case about? Who is the prisoner? Who helped him escape? Was there a search team for him? When and where has he been found dead? Has the autopsy already began?" I asked eagerly.

An officer approached me, "Your file, Miss," he said handing it over. I grabbed it and put it on my lap. I looked back at the officers. "So?"

The officers looked at each other and glanced at Judy. She had a great presence, with an intimidating vibe. At least, she served a good purpose now.

"His name is Rick Walds. He has been found exactly 30 minutes ago in some suburbs at East London. He escaped from prison three weeks ago. The investigation of his death has not started yet," said the officer.

"Ok, good then," I said, clapping my hands. The officers looked at me questioningly.

"Have a nice day," I said and stood up, ready to go.

As I walked outside, I took out my phone. I should call Raphael and inform him about this. It may be possible for the IOF to get the case responsibility before the police.

"Hello, Mr Ford? There is some information that may be of your interest..." I heard from behind me. I looked behind and saw Judy passing by on her phone.

I just stood for a while, frowning and my mouth open. I sighed after a while and followed behind, to my car.

Ugh, you rotten repugnant broccoli! Choco mint flavoured ice cream! Clout chasing lewdster!

I swear I'll get you back.